Nor by the earth; for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the city of the great King.
MATTHEW 5:35KJVWhat does Matthew 5:35 mean?
Matthew 5:35 warns people not to swear oaths by the earth or by Jerusalem, explaining that the earth belongs to God as His footstool and Jerusalem is the city of the great King. The verse emphasizes that these things are not under human control or ownership, so they should not be used to guarantee promises.
In this verse, Jesus is speaking to a crowd during the Sermon on the Mount, teaching them about honesty and the seriousness of making oaths. By mentioning the earth and Jerusalem, Jesus points out that people often swore by things they considered important or sacred. He reminds them that these things ultimately belong to God, highlighting the need for truthfulness without relying on external guarantees.
The Greek behind Matthew 5:35
- πόλις (polis, G4172) — "city": This word refers specifically to Jerusalem as a significant and central place, not just any city. Calling Jerusalem "the city of the great King" underlines its special status in Jewish thought.
- βασιλεύς (basileus, G935) — "King": This word is used here to refer to God, showing that Jerusalem is not just any city, but one uniquely associated with God's rule.
- ὑποπόδιον (hypopodion, G5286) — "footstool": This term describes the earth as something under God's authority, reinforcing the idea that swearing by the earth is meaningless since it is subject to God, not people.
Why Matthew 5:35 matters
- Matthew 5:35 clarifies that swearing by things associated with God does not make an oath more trustworthy, since those things are not under human authority.
- The verse connects to Jesus’ larger teaching about letting one’s word be truthful without needing to swear by anything at all, setting a higher standard for honesty.
- By calling Jerusalem "the city of the great King," Jesus reminds listeners of God’s sovereignty, challenging common practices of oath-making in His time.